Firefighter Daniel Lyon is about halfway through his initial treatment for the severe burns he sustained in the Twisp River Fire, according to his father, Dan Lyon.
Based on physicians’ projections for the healing process from this type of injury, Daniel could be released from Harborview Medical Center in about six weeks. He will continue with extensive rehabilitation and physical therapy, said Dan.
Daniel, age 25, has had eight surgeries since the Aug. 19 accident. The first four surgeries were to remove dead tissue, a process known as debridement that prevents infection and helps promote healing.
The following four surgeries grafted Daniel’s own skin onto areas that were critically burned. The next surgery, to graft skin onto his arms and fingers, should be the last major graft, said Dan. “We hope for great progress after that,” he said. One of the first grafts surgeons performed was for Daniel’s legs, which are now healing. His eighth operation, on Sept. 22, concentrated on grafts for his face. Daniel remains in Harborview’s intensive care unit. “We’re still hoping and praying for miracles — and we’ve had some,” said Dan.